15 MARCH 1924, Page 13

THE MINERS AND THE PRICE OF COAT,.

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

Sin,—The miners say that they arc not earning a living wage, and that the industry can afford to pay them more. The colliery owners say that they are already paying the last shilling that they can afford and that an increase would mean their own extinction, and that of the trade. Is it not obvious that the main point for the committee that is to hold the conference is an inquiry on what are the profits of the coal merchants ? Except for the game dealers who throughout the autumn give you three to four shillings a brace for grouse which they sell next day for anything up to ten, I can conceive no trade where profiteering must be